Tractor hitch



A. SCHULTZ,

TRACTOR HITCH June l, 1948.

2 sheets-sheet `1 Filed May 24, 1946 .A. scHULTz 2,442,439

TRACTOR HITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 June l, 1948'.

Filed May 24, 194e Patented June 1, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to agricultural machinery and more particularly to tractor hitches.

The object of my invention is to provide a tractor hitch which will automatically secure a plow or the like to a tractor when the latter is backed up to the plow and the plow clevis slides into the hitch.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tractor hitch which can be operated by hand or foot from the drivers seat on the tractor to ren lease it.

Other objects of my invention may appear in the following specification describing my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings ilustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is however to be understood that my invention is not to be limited or restricted to the exact construction and combination of parts described in the specification and shown in the drawings, but that such changes and modifications can be made, which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the tracto hitch construction according to my invention, a clevis of a plow or the like being shown in position to be secured in the tractor hitch.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1, the plow clevis being omitted, and

Figure 4 is a partial side elevational View of the tractor hitch according to my invention, shown in a bigger scale and partly in section, the hitch being arranged in clevis securing position.

Referring now in detail to my invention a tractor (not shown) has a rearwardly extending hitch supporting bar I0. The rearward end of this bar is wider than its forward end, and on the top surface of this widened supporting bar portion a top hitch plate II and on the under side of said portion a bottom hitch plate I2 are arranged and the two hitch plates are fastened to the supporting bar I by four countersunk head bolts I3. As shown clearly in Figures 1 and 4 the hitch plates I I and I2 extend comparatively far beyond the rear end of the supporting bar I0.

On the lower hitch plate I2 a guide member I4 is arranged adapted to guide the clevis I5 of a plow (not shown) or any other agricultural machine onto the hitch and between the two hitch plates.

On the top hitch plate II a support block I6 is firmly secured and extends transversely there- 5 Claims. (Cl. 280-33.15)

Centr-ally of said support block I6 two spaced I1 extend upwardly of. apart support members therefrom.

A lever I8 is pivotally supported between the two spaced apart support members I'I by means of a shaft I9 extending through the two support members I'I adjacent their upper ends and through the lever I8 intermediate its ends.

A hitch bolt 20 has a bifurcated head 2l and the rear end of the lever I8 is located between the prongs formed by this bifurcation. A bolt 22 extends through holes provided in the prongs on the hitch bolt 20 and a hole in the rear end of the lever I8 and connects these parts pivotally with each other. At each side of the-lever I8 a washer 23 is arranged on the bolt 22 between the said lever and the adjacent prong. The rear end of the lever I8 is rounded as at 24l and the upper ends of the prongs are also rounded as at 25, but the rear half of these portions of the prongs are flattened so that a downwardly and rearwardly extending surface is formed on each of the prongs as at 26.

A guide block 21 which is fastened to the top hitch plate I I by means of bolts 28, extends transversely of the top hitch plate and is located so that the hitch bolt 2D extends through a hole provided and centrally arranged in the guide block and a hole in the top hitch plate II. A hole 29 is provided in the bottom hitch plate I2 coaxially with the hole in the guide block 21. Onto each side of the lever I8 a helical spring 30 is fastened adjacent the bifurcated head 2I of the hitch bolt. These springs extend downwardly and their lower ends are secured to the upper hitch plate by means of eye bolts 3|, so that the springs tend to pivot the rear part of the lever I8 downwardly to the position shown .in Figure 4, so that the hitch bolt 2|] extends through the hole 29 in the bottom hitch plate II.

Underneath the shaft I9 a bolt 32 extends through the support members I'I and prongs 33 on a bifurcated connecting lever 34 are arranged to extend on the outside of the support members I'I and are pivotally mounted on the bolt 32. This connecting lever 34 extends rearwardly and upwardly and its upper end 35 is located between and pivotally connected with two prongs 36 formed on the bifurcated rear end of an operating lever 3l, which extends forwardly and has on its forward end an operating pedal 38.

On the front end of the hitch bolt lever I8 two connecting members 33 are firmly attached by means of bolts 40. The hitch bolt lever I8 is located between the two connecting members 39. The rearward upper corners of these members are rounded as at 4I and a spacer block 42 is located between the upper ends of the connecting members 39, which extend upwardly.

Two connecting links 43 are arranged adjacent the outer side surfaces of the operating lever 31 and of the upper ends of the connecting members 39, andfarepivotally connectedwith the operating lever. 31 by a bolt 44 and tothe connecting members 39 by a bolt 45.

In the part of the connecting lever 34 above the bifurcation thereof an opening 46 is provided,

and the rear end of a stop bar 41 is locatedlin-this` opening and is pivotally connected withtheconnecting lever 34 by a bolt 48.

On the rear end of the hitch'. boltlever: I8; which is located between the connectingmembers 39, an upwardly extending stop-lug 49 is formed and has in its top surface an I-bolt B. Another I-bolt 5'I- is provided inthe upper surfaceof'the stopt-'ar 41 intermediate-its ends; A helical spring 52 is attached with its ends to these two-I-bolts and' urges the rear end of the stop-bar 4'! into' contact with the stop lug 49 as sliownin'Figurel Thelowerends ofthe connecting members extendL beyond the-hitch bolt lever i8 and a lock lever is located` between and pivotally connectedwith theseends bymeans of a bolty 54. Atv

a distance from its lower end a lock notch 55 is cut-into therear surface of this lock lever.

A' helical spring 55 is fastened with its upper en'dto the hitch bolt lever I8 andwithits lower end'toLthe locklever 53 urging the latter-toswing rearwardly and upwardly.

On` theforwardedges of the support members IT a channelshaped guide member 51 is fastened extending upwardly fromV the top hitch plate I I. The lock lever 53 is adapted to move slidably in theguide member. 51 anda hole 5B is'provided in the top hitch plate H and a corresponding hole 59 is arranged in the supporting bar I0 permitting the.lower end of 'the'lock lever to slidevtherethrough.

In the under side of the rearwardedge ofthe top hitch plate I I a notch 69 is` cut forming a lock edgel cnsaid plate, which is adapted to be engaged'by lock notch55'.

When the hitch is not in use, as shown in Figure 1; and; the tractor (not shown)` is backed up to: a` plow (not shown) or theA like the-clevis I5 slides; between the two hitch plates II and I2 guided bythe member I4. When the clevis I5 hits the lower end of the lock lever 53, this lever ispivoted forwardly about the bolt 54 whereby it-isdisengagedfromthe lock edge 6 I.

Thesprings 35 then pivot the hitch bolt lever IBabout the bolty I9`so that the rear end thereof swings downwardly carrying the hitch bolt 20 downward into clevis engaging position as shown in Figure 4.

This pivotal movement of the hitch bolt lever I81swings the connecting members 39 upwardly, so that thelock lever 53 is also moved upwardly sliding in the channel shaped guide 51. The upward movement oi'the connecting members 39 is transmittedv to the connecting lever 34 through tlie'stop bar 41 forcing the lever 34 to pivot rearwardly and downwardly about the bolt 32 and moving, at the same time, the operating lever 31 rearwardly and downwardly. The combined movements of the connectingmembers 39'and the operating lever 31,V which are connected with eachother by thelinks 43, result-in' aposition of these elements, in which the connecting members 39 extend upwardly and rearwardly and the operating lever 31 rests on the top end of said members. At the same time, intermediate portions of the prongs 33 of the lower end of the connecting lever 34 come to rest on the beveled surfaces 26 of the ears 2I of bolt 20 (Figure 4). The clevis I5 is then securely engaged by the hitch bolt 20.

When it is desired torelease: the clevis-.I5 from this engagement, the operating lever 31 is shoved downwardly by pressure on pedal 38. Since lever 31 rests on the upper ends of the connecting members 39 and spacer block 42, these members are forced. down, pivoting the hitch bolt lever I8 about the shaft I9 so that the hitch bolt 20 is raised intothe position shown in Figure 1 releasing the clevis I5. The lock lever 53 slides downwardly in the channel shaped guide 51 until it enters the holes 58 and 59 in the top hitch plate II and the support bar I El'. Thelhelical spring pivots the loci: 1ever'53l aboutthebolt 54 interlock edge engaging position, thereby preventing the springs Sfrom forcing the -hitclibolt lever I8 to pivot about shaft' Iso that'theliitchi bolt 2 9 slides downwardly.

At the same time the forward and; d'ownwardi movement of the connecting membersgistransinitted to the connecting lever 34`Jby thest'op` barl 41 and to the operating lever 31 by the linirs-- 43`,V so that these elements are positioned as-shown: in Figure 1.

The tractor hitchis then inreadiiiess-t'men`- gage automatically a clevisl I'5enteringfbet'wee'n the top andbottom hitchzplates.

Having described my invention, I claimas1newand desire to secure by Letters Patent? 1. A tractor hitch adapted torbe fastened to the draw bar of a tractor includingy atop hitch plate, a bottom hitch plate, the two plates being securely fastened/to the top and under surfacesv respectively of the draw bar, a guide member. on the bottom hitch plate to guide aplow clevi's or the like between the two plates, coaxially arranged holes in said plates, aliitch bolt* adaptedV to slide upwardly and" downwardlyin andloutf of the holes in the hitch plates, spring means for urging the hitch bolt into downward-clevis engaging position and locking means for maintaining said bolt in an upward position againstthe action of said spring means, supporting members extending upwardly from' the top hitch plate; a hitch bolt lever pivotally mounted between said supporting members intermediate its` ends, the hitch bolt being pivotally fastened on the' rear end of said lever andthe locking means` being pivotally connected with the front' endof" said lever; a connecting member rigidlyfastenedto' the front end of the hitch boltlever, said-locking means comprising a lock lever pivotally connected to said connecting member.

2. A tractor hitch adapted to be fastened: to' the draw bar of a tractor includinga top'eliitch' plate, a bottom hitch plate, the two platesibeing securely fastened to the top and under'snrfaces respectively of the draw bar, a guide-memberon the bottom hitchplate-to guide a plow clevis' or the like between the two plates, coaxially arranged holes in said plates, al liitcliloolt adapted to slide upwardly andr downwardly in' and: ont ofthe holes in the hitch4 plates, spring-` means for urging the hitch bolt intodownwardclevis'ens gaging position and locking mean for maintain'- ing said" bolt in an upwardAl position against the action ofv said spring'means, supportingmembers extending upwardly from the top hitch plate, a hitch bolt lever pivotally mounted between said supporting members intermediate its ends, the hitch bolt being pivotally fastened on the rear end of said lever and the locking means being pivotally connected with the front end or" sai-d lever, a connecting member rigidly fastened to the front end of the hitch bolt lever, said locking means comprising a lock lever pivotally connected to said connecting member, the top hitch plate being provided with a hole permitting the lock lever to enter therethrough, a lock edge on the under surface of the top hitch plate adjacent the hole therein, a lock notch in the rear surface of the lock lever, and a helical spring between the lock lever and the hitch bolt lever urging the lock lever into a locking engagement with said lock edge.

3. A tractor hitch adapted to be fastened to the draw bar of a tractor including a top hitch plate, a bottom hitch plate, the two plates being securely fastened to the top and under surfaces respectively of the draw bar, a guide member on the bottom hitch plate to guide a plow clevis or the like between the two plates, coaxially arranged holes in said plates, a hitch bolt adapted to slide upwardly and downwardly in and out of the holes in the hitch plates, spring means for urging the hitch bolt into downward clevis engaging position and locking means for maintaining said bolt in an upward position against the action of said spring means, supporting members extending upwardly from the top hitch plate, a hitch bolt lever pivotally mounted between said supporting members intermediate its ends, the hitch bolt being pivotally fastened on the rear end of said lever and the locking means being pivotally connected with the front end of said lever, a connecting member rigidly fastened to the front end of the hitch bolt lever, said locking means comprising a lock lever pivotally connected to said connecting member, the top hitch plate being provided with a, hole permitting the lock lever to enter therethrough, a lock edge on the under surface of the top hitch plate adjacent the hole therein, a lock notch in the rear surface of the lock lever, and a helical spring between the lock lever and the hitch bolt lever urging the lock lever into a locking engagement with said lock edge, and a channel shaped guide member on the rear edges of the supporting members, extending upwardly from the upper hitch plate and adapted to guide the lock lever slidably into and out of working position.

4. A tractor hitch adapted to be fastened to the draw bar of a tractor including a top hitch plate, a bottom hitch plate, the two plates being securely fastened to the top and under surfaces respectively of the draw bar, a, guide member on the bottom hitch plate to guide a plow clevis or the like between the two plates, coaxlally arranged holes in said plates, a hitch bolt adapted to slide upwardly and downwardly in and out of the holes in the hitch plates, spring means for urgingr the hitch bolt into downward clevis engaging position and locking means for maintaining said bolt in an upward position against the action of said spring means, supporting members extending upwardly from the top hitch plate, a hitch`bolt lever pivotally mounted between said supporting members intermediate its ends, the hitch bolt being pivotally fastened on the rear end of said lever and the locking means being pivotally connected with the front end of said lever, a connecting member rigidly fastened to the front end of the hitch bolt lever, said locking means comprising a lock lever pivotally connected to said connecting member, the top hitch plate being provided with a hole permitting the lock lever to enter therethrough, a lock edge on the under surface of the top hitch plate adjacent the hole therein, a lock notch in the rear surface of the locklever, and a helical spring between the lock lever and the hitch bolt lever urging the lock lever into a locking engagement with said lock edge, a bifurcated connecting lever pivotally connected with the support members, an operating lever pivotaly attached to the tcp of the connecting lever and extending forwardly therefrom, a pair of connecting links pivotally connected to the operating lever and to the upper end of said connecting member, a stop lug carried by said connecting member, a stop bar pivotally connected at its rear end to the connecting lever and a helical spring fastened to the stop bar and the stop lug, and urging the rear end of the stop bar into contact with the stop lug.

5. A tractor hitch comprising a substantially horizontal draw bar formed to provide a pair of vertically-extending holes therethrough, one of said holes being located adjacent the rear end of said draw bar, the other hole being forwardlyspaced from said rst hole, an elongated lever pivotally connected between its ends to the upper surface of said draw bar intermediate said holes, the free ends of said lever overlying said holes, a, hitch bolt carried by the rear end of said lever and adapted to be reciprocated through said hole to a, locking position upon depression of said rear end of said lever, a latch detent on the under surface of said draw bar adjacent the rear edge of said second hole, a spring latch carried by the forward end of said lever, said latch being extensible through said second hole and automatically engageable with said detent upon depression of said front end of said lever, whereby to lock said hitch bolt in an unlocked position, means loading said hitch bolt for movement to a locking position, and said latch including means engageable with a trailer clevis or the like upon rearward movement of said draw bar above said clevis and operative to -disengage said latch and permit automatic movement of said bolt to a locking position upon continuation of said rearward movement.

ALBERT SCHULTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 773,537 Boese Nov. 1, 1904 945,683 Beydler et al Jan. 4, 1910 1,448,950 Uecker Mar. 20, 1923 1,837,940 Ade Dec. 22, 1931 2,002,922 Onken May 28, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 639,396 Germany Dec. 4, 1936 

